A Sociolinguistic Study of Language Use and Identity in Some Selected Gospel Music in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates how some selected Nigerian Christian artiste use code switching and code mixing to connect with diverse audience and also showcase their ethnic identities. The theories adopted for the study are the social identity theory and the communication accommodation theory. Findings reveal that the blending of Indigenous languages with English in the selected gospel music serves as a tool for showcasing the ethnic group of the artistes as well as reaching wider audience. This result therefore emphasizes the role of language use in the Christian music industry in fostering cultural identity and its involvement in maintaining the heritage language of the people. The researcher therefore recommends the continuous incorporation of indigenous languages into Christian Gospel songs since it has demonstrated positive impacts on language maintenance, cultural visibility, and audience engagement. Future studies should investigate a larger corpus of gospel songs across more Nigerian languages to deepen understanding of multilingual practices and their sociolinguistic impacts.